Hello,
I’m going to Paris the first week of March. I will be staying there for 10 days and I won’t be going to any other countries except for two day visit to London. (which I already got a train ticket for)
I was thinking about buying the France Eurail Select Pass but now I’m having my doubts. It seems like even Pass holders have to pay for riding certain trains, then what it’s the point of buying the pass here if I’ll still have to pay overthere. I’m only planning to travel to Riems, St Malo, and maybe Bordeaux. If so, would you recommend to buy the pass here or just buy each ticket when in France. The Pass the I was going to buy is priced at $215 (1st class).
What would you recommend?
I’m also confused about reservations. Why do I have to pay extra for reservations? Does that mean that I have to waste a whole day going from train station to train station just to make reservations.
Anyone who has information on this your help will be much appreciated.
If you know of any sites that contain information (Eurail for dummies type of style) that’d be helpful too.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
confusedcalifornian
very confused about rail system in France
February 5, 2004
By francecom
2 Comments On very confused about rail system in France
Hello,
It is a very confusing subject indeed. If you only really plan on going to Reims, St-Malo and maybe bordeaux, it may end up cheaper to buy each ticket as you go, but not that much cheaper.
As for the reservations, they’re tricky because on certain trains you have to have one otherwise your ticket’s no good. Just so you know, the idea is for you to buy the eurail pass here, and then when you get to France, (and once you know your dates) you go to the train station and make all reservations at once. You can also ask your agency here or the website to make the reservations for you from the US and that way you don’t have to worry about it when you get to France.
Depending on the type of hotel you have reserved, they can handle this for you or steer you in the right direction.
One final advice, whatever you do, make sure you get a reservation in a non-smoking car! Even if you’re a smoker the smoking cars are just unbearable. There. You’ve been warned 😉
Thank you very much. I’ll make sure I get non-smoking seats.
Thanks again =)